LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to describe to students the fundamental properties of materials, with particular regard to electrical properties.

Attention will be focused on the main parameters that characterize the conductive materials, insulators, semiconductors used in electrical engineering. The students, having personal experiences in the laboratory, will demonstrate some fundamental laws for electrical engineering.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student will be able to describe the fundamental properties of conductive materials, insulating, semiconductor, with particular regard to electrical properties. He will also have learned the laboratory measurements for their determination.
The student will also be able to create simple circuits on breadboard, connecting properly instruments such as voltmeter, ammeter, DC voltage generator, function generator and digital oscilloscope.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, practical exercises in the laboratory.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into lectures and laboratory exercises.
Summary of the topics covered in the theoretical part:
The teacher presents the fundamental properties of materials with particular regard to electrical properties. We examine the conductive, insulating, semiconductor materials used in the construction of machines and electrical equipment: we define the main parameters that characterize them and the main laboratory techniques used to determine them.
In particular, we introduce the first and second Ohm's law, we define the dependence of the electrical Resistivity on temperature in the case of metallic conductors.
The linear and non-linear voltage-current curve is considered. The Law of Joule is presented in integral and local form.
As far as Dielectric materials are concerned, homogeneous materials and composite materials are considered: references are made to the expression of the electric field with simple electrode geometries. The fundamental parameters of a capacitor are introduced and the direct current RC circuit is analyzed from a theoretical point of view. From the continuous regime, we then move on to the sinusoidal regime: the concept of phasor is introduced, to be able to define capacitor and inductor impedances and reactances, and the concept of skin effect.
Laboratory exercises:
The students, divided into groups and under the supervision of the teacher, carry out the following practical exercises: Series and parallel  resistances, Ohm's first law, Voltage-current curve of a low voltage incandescent bulb and a diode, RC circuits in direct current, passive RC filters in sinusoidal regime at different frequencies.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Slides provided by the teacher.